More than 2,000 participants are expected to attend "Monmouth-Ocean Celebrates Israel," a solidarity walk and Judaic expo on Sunday, May 6, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

The festival, now in its second year, has been designed to promote support for Israel and solidarity among members of the diverse Jewish populations in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Last year's event was organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County; this year, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County has joined the Monmouth federation's organizational efforts.

Registration for the festival's 5.9k Walk for Israel, an event highlight, will begin at 9 a.m. The walk will begin at 9:45, as registrants make their way through a paved pathway on the BCC campus. The money raised from the registration fees will be donated to Israeli projects that are assisting in the reconstruction of Israel's northern region, according to Ann Goldman, the Monmouth federation's director of planning and allocations and one of the event chairs.

The 2006 Walk for Israel raised more than $10,000, Goldman said.

When the 5.9k walk ends at 11:30 a.m., a Jewish-Israeli festival will begin with activities for children and adults; the festival will conclude at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Members of the Jewish communities in Monmouth and Ocean counties continue to express concern regarding the hostilities that broke out last summer in the Jewish state's northern region, Goldman said. As a result, festival organizers voted to donate the money raised from the 2007 walk to projects that are helping to rebuild in the North, she said.

But the festival itself will be a joyous occasion, Goldman said. Activities will include interactive inflatable games for children and young adults. More than 15 vendors from the Monmouth County area and vendors from Israel, New York, and Philadelphia will display items of Judaica, jewelry, T-shirts, and Dead Sea cosmetics.

Israeli folk dancers will display their talents, and a zimriyah – song festival – will be presented by a youth choir of children from area synagogues performing under the direction of Cantor Jacqueline Shuchat-Marx of Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro.

There will also be plenty of Israeli delicacies and other kosher food and snacks for attendees who work up an appetite.

Eighteen synagogues have signed on as sponsors of the celebration: Congregation Agudath Achim of Bradley Beach; Congregation Ahavat Achim, Howell; Congregation B'nai Israel, Rumson; Congregation Brothers of Israel and Temple Beth Miriam, both in Elberon; Congregation Kol Am, Freehold; Congregation Sons of Israel, Temple Shaari Emeth, and Temple Beth Shalom, all in Manalapan; Temple Shalom, Temple Beth Ahm, and Congregation Bet Teflilah, all of Aberdeen; Monmouth Reform Temple, Tinton Falls; Freehold Jewish Center-Congregation Agudath Achim; Congregation Ohev Shalom-Marlboro Jewish Center; Temple Beth El, Oakhurst; Temple Beth Torah, Ocean Township; and Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro.

Along with Goldman, event chairs Mike Beller of Little Silver, Sheri Tarrab of Holmdel, Eli Kramer of Manalapan, and Lauren Varod and Shelley Feingold of Marlboro, have been working on plans for the 2007 festival since last summer.

"The 2006 celebration was a great success and provided us with a lot of incentive to make this year's event even better," said Feingold, who is also the operations and outreach director of the Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth in Manalapan.

"Last year, more than 2,000 people came together to show their support for Israel and for the Jewish community here at home," she continued. "We know that same love and support will be reflected by those who participate in this year's solidarity walk and attend the day-long festival."

In addition, the participation of the Ocean County federation in this year's festivities will increase the scope of the event and broaden its appeal, Feingold added.

"The festival provides an opportunity to celebrate the Israeli spirit and our own Jewish heritage," she said. "The enthusiasm that was generated last year was a wonderful display of solidarity, and now we have the chance to take it to an even higher level."

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